Domestic and family violence victims living in the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command (LAC) will soon have a single contact point to access the support they need with the commencement of a new Safer Pathway site in March next year, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Pru Goward and Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC announced today.

Created by the NSW Government, Safer Pathway puts the safety of victims and their children at the centre of the response.

Safer Pathway aims to ensure victims receive a consistent and effective response by bringing together local representatives including Police, Health, Corrections, Family and Community Services and Education along with local specialist non-government domestic and family violence services.

The NSW Government has committed more than $50 million over four years for Safer Pathway.

Ms Goward said that agencies working together meant victims would no longer have to repeat their story multiple times.

“Safer Pathway creates a coordinated response where agencies work proactively to provide victims with the support they need,” Ms Goward said.

Mr MacDonald welcomed the roll-out of Safer Pathway across the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command which will help support victims of domestic violence and their children within the local community.

“We will continue in our commitment to eradicate the scourge of domestic violence and critical to that goal is the introduction of this new Safer Pathway site,” Mr MacDonald said.

“Most importantly, this program will provide a safer, simpler and less-stressful course for victims of domestic violence and address their need for a co-ordinated response from specialist agencies and services,” Greg Piper, Member for Lake Macquarie said.

“Our goal should always be to eliminate domestic violence in our communities, but at the very least we must find the best ways of assisting victims at times when they most need it.”